Horn brushes off Crawford scare tactics

Jeff Horn is even more confident of victory after finally seeing Terence Crawford in the flesh and shrugging off his attempts to intimidate the Australian.

Crawford asked Horn if he was ready during in a near minute-long staredown following their official pre-fight press conference on Friday morning (AEST) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas - the first time they've crossed paths.

There were no major fireworks, nor was there any trouble between trainers Glenn Rushton and Brian McIntyre, who have been at each other's throats for several months.

Sporting a flashy blue suit, Horn cut a relaxed figure as Rushton did his best to dispel myths about his charge's reputation in the US as a rugged fighter with only average technical skills.

Crawford and McIntyre didn't say much but when they did they took on a soft, menacing tone - or at least tried to.

"He might get hurt," Crawford said of Horn, who has been installed as a rank outsider to retain his WBO welterweight title on Sunday (AEST).

"Pressure breaks pipes. A lot of people came in the ring with me with strong will and they left with their tail tucked in."

Horn looked physically the bigger man but Crawford said the incumbent WBO champion would end up "surprised" by his strength and power.

McIntyre predicted it would be the start of a "takeover" in the welterweight division by the unbeaten Crawford, who is stepping up to the 66.67kg limit after winning titles in two lower weight classes - including all four junior welterweight belts.

"Jeff just happens to be the first victim," he said.

None of it appeared to faze Horn and laughs broke out from his support section whenever the American pair's words occasionally fell flat.

"I found it entertaining, to be honest. They're trying to get in my head ... it was hilarious," he said.

Rushton said: "There's nothing that they said at all that caused me any discomfort whatsoever."

"In fact I actually feel a lot more relaxed now."

There were more chuckles, this time from the back of the room, when Duco Events promoter Dean Lonergan said Top Rank's matchmakers had got it wrong again by picking Horn as Crawford's opponent.

"I've heard I'm a chump, I've heard I'm a fraud of the welterweight division," Horn said, referring to those in the US who continue to doubt the legitimacy of his win over Manny Pacquiao.